Which option is most practical for you?

Picnickers who want to make sandwiches quickly

Pre-sliced bread saves you a job before you set off. ALDI describes its Fijn Volkoren as sliced; also check that the slices are suitable for the fillings you’re taking.

Shoppers comparing labels

Compare fibre and salt per 100 g, and check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre identifies fibre as a characteristic of wholemeal bread; the values can vary between individual loaves.

Picnickers taking chilled fillings

If your fillings normally belong in the fridge, transporting them matters just as much as choosing the bread. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends using a cool bag for chilled products.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you want the bread pre-sliced or would rather cut it to size yourself. Then compare the label and plan how to transport any fillings that need to stay chilled.

What to consider What should you check? Who is it important for?
Slice size Check whether the loaf is whole or pre-sliced and, if possible, look at the slices. ‘Fine’ isn’t a standard size for medium-thick slices. If I want to make sandwiches quickly before setting off, the slices need to hold my fillings. A useful slice size is the top priority for around 29% of consumers.
Label and nutritional value Read the product description and compare fibre and salt per 100 g. Also check the ingredients, allergens and any warnings about possible cross-contact. I want to know what’s in my wholemeal bread before choosing it for a picnic. For around 36% of consumers, comparing labels comes first.
Chilled fillings Use a cool bag for chilled products. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, perishable products should be kept at 4 °C at home and thrown away if they’ve been out of the fridge for more than two hours. If I’m taking fillings that need to stay chilled, I want to keep them properly stored on the journey too. Safe transport is the main concern for roughly 21% of consumers.
Availability in store Check the current loaf format and slicing options at your chosen shop. Lidl lists its Fijn volkoren as available in store only. If I’m doing my picnic shopping at one shop, I want to be able to choose a suitable loaf there. This practical choice matters most to around 14% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘fine’ means a specific slice thickness

    A fine bread texture or the word ‘sliced’ won’t tell you how thick the slices are. That can make a difference for small sandwiches or heavier fillings.

    Check the packaging or the slices themselves. With a whole loaf, you can choose the thickness yourself.

  • Choosing on the basis of the word ‘wholemeal’ alone

    The name is no substitute for comparing fibre, salt, ingredients and allergens. You should also read any claim on the packaging in the context of the comparison it refers to.

    Compare nutritional values on the same basis, such as per 100 g, and check the current label.

  • Taking fillings that need to stay chilled without a cool bag

    Your choice of bread won’t keep chilled fillings at the right temperature. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends transporting chilled products to the picnic spot in a cool bag.

    Use a cool bag and clean, sealed containers; take the fillings out of the fridge shortly before you leave.

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, perishable products that have been out of the fridge for more than two hours should be thrown away.

  • Assuming every loaf contains iodised salt

    The loaf’s origin or name won’t tell you what type of salt it contains.

    If this matters to your choice, check the ingredients list for a mention of iodised salt or bakers’ salt.

Brands to compare

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn offers several types of wholemeal bread, including sliced and whole loaves.

  • The range includes AH Liefde & Passie Petit volkoren gesneden.
  • Check how each loaf is sliced and whether the slices suit your fillings.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists Fijn Volkoren with product information you can use when comparing labels.

  • Jumbo lists 7,6 g of fibre per 100 g for this bread.
  • Check the slicing and slice thickness separately; the name ‘Fijn Volkoren’ doesn’t specify either.

Lidl

Lidl lists an 800 g Fijn volkoren loaf.

  • The product listing gives the name of the bread and its weight.
  • Lidl lists this loaf as available in store only; check the slicing and label there too.

ALDI

ALDI describes its Fijn Volkoren as sliced bread.

  • This makes it an option if you don’t want to slice the bread yourself before the picnic.
  • Check the slices if you’re looking for a medium-thick cut in particular.

PLUS

PLUS lists Rond fijn volkoren as a whole loaf.

  • You can slice this loaf to your preferred thickness; PLUS lists 6,7 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • Slicing it yourself takes preparation and won’t necessarily give you evenly sized slices.

Dirk

Dirk shows several types of wholemeal bread in its search results.

  • You can search for options including whole and half loaves.
  • Check the slicing and product information for your chosen loaf before buying.

Wholemeal bread to slice yourself

This round wholemeal loaf is a good choice if you want to decide how thick to slice your sandwiches. It needs to be prepared before slicing, so it isn’t a pre-sliced option for getting a picnic ready quickly.

Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 550 g

Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 550 g

For anyone who wants to slice their bread to size for a picnic. This 550 g round loaf needs to be defrosted, baked and cooled before you slice it. Compare fibre and salt using the current label, per 100 g.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is fine wholemeal bread always cut into medium-thick slices?

No, ‘fine’ doesn’t specify a set slice thickness. ALDI describes its Fijn Volkoren as sliced, but if the thickness matters for your fillings, it’s best to check the packaging or look at the slices themselves.

How should I take sandwiches with chilled fillings to the park?

Carry fillings that need to stay chilled in a cool bag and take them out of the fridge shortly before you leave. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, perishable products should be thrown away if they’ve been out of the fridge for more than two hours.

What should I look for when checking allergens in wholemeal bread?

Check the ingredients, allergens and information about possible cross-contact on the current label of the bread you choose. Jumbo and PLUS list wheat and gluten-containing cereals, among other things, for the breads discussed here; don’t assume another loaf has the same ingredients.

How can I tell whether wholemeal bread contains iodised salt?

Check the ingredients list for a mention of iodised salt or bakers’ salt. If this matters for your purchase, don’t rely on the name ‘wholemeal bread’ or where it comes from.